What's up with Tampa Bay and all the player cuts?

[carolinatony]

They have released a lot of players and HAVE to have a lot of Cap money. I'm sure its not all for rookies this year?
Anyone see a big play for a few big F.A.'s from them? Not mentioning any names mind you.

 

[BradyBranch39]

or preparing for no future cap floor.

 

[primetime]

or preparing for no future cap floor.

I would think the Glazers would be amongst the last people to care. Maybe if it was the Chiefs...

 

[Phlash]

They're opening up cap space to sign Cassel obviously

 

[PatsChamp88]

Clearing out the old bringing in the new usually happens as new coach regime takes over obviously they felt it was time to change. They didn't cut tons of players just some vets that they feel aren't part of their future plans they already had lots of cap space its pretty self explanatory. BTW this is an NFL Forum post

 

[mojocaster.com]

I think it's called re-building... plus, they're letting go of the cover-two system, so they probably need players that will fit their new system better...

 

[stinkypete]

Clearing out the old bringing in the new usually happens as new coach regime takes over obviously they felt it was time to change. They didn't cut tons of players just some vets that they feel aren't part of their future plans they already had lots of cap space its pretty self explanatory. BTW this is an NFL Forum post

Exactly. Is Tampa really going to contend in 2009? Not likely. Even with all their cap space, they're a team that needs to retool badly.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Just pinching a few pennies in a tight economy.

 

[carolinatony]

What I meant is...Maybe with all this $$$ they could make a deal for Cassel.

 

[The_Riddler]

Come Friday, don't be surprised if Matty is wearing pewter........

This is the one team where it all fits. They've never, ever had a young, franchise QB and have been crying for one for a long, long time. Ooooodles of CAP space. It fits, I mean I know they just signed Luke McCown to a new 2-year deal, but I have to believe that they don't think he's the long term answer.

And oddly enough, we've been hearing 10pm-late-July-cricketts from both sides relative to Matt, nothing has been leaked, it makes one wonder if something truly is cooking here.............

 

[mgcolby]

What I meant is...Maybe with all this $$$ they could make a deal for Cassel.

They were 50 million below the cap before the cuts and according to NFL radio they saved an additional 10 million with these cuts. They definitley didn't need to cut them to make room for Cassel.

They are a whopping 60 million dollars below the cap. Nearly 50%. It will be impossible for them to spend all that.

 

[carolinatony]

"They are a whopping 60 million dollars below the cap."


Are you serious? If I was a fan I would not be happy. They can grab some really good players with this kind of money.

 

[Blizzzard]

Sounds to me like they're poised for a "2009 Yankees" type spending spree

 

[jmt57]

They hinted at it a few days ago with talks about 'becoming more physical', etc. The Tampa-2 defense is more based on speed. New coach, new GM, new OC, new DC; they're bringing in a new offensive and a new defensive scheme, so they need different types of players. No need in keeping guys in their late 30's who were looking at getting $3 mil or more that have lost a step and don't fit the new style. It makes perfect sense to get rid of players like Garcia, Brooks, Galloway, Hilliard and Dunn now.

This would have been more shocking if Gruden and Allen were still in charge in Tampa Bay; in that case making wholesale changes to a team with two straight winning seasons would be unusual. Actually it's rather refreshing to see an organization realize they are not 'just one player away' from winning it all even after a couple of winning seasons, and look long term rather than 'we have to do whatever it takes to win this year.'

 

[PatsCanDoIt]

Sounds to me like they're poised for a "2009 Yankees" type spending spree

Yeah I think they're making room to sign Labron in 2010.

 

[BritPat]

Could they be making a run at several of the big names? Haynewsorth AND Housh AND Peppers? Would make sense.....